2001 Dodge Durango
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 665 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 25 Durango model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 60 involved a crash and 20 involved a fire. 55 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Suspension, front, hubOct 20, 2008
SKF IS RECALLING 2,805 HUB UNITS, PART NO. BR930361, SOLD AS A SERVICE PART FOR 1997-2004 DODGE DAKOTA VEHICLES AND 1999-2003 DODGE DURANGO VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2-WHEEL DRIVE & REAR AXLE ABS. DUE TO A SPECIFICATION ERROR, THE ROTOR PILOT FOR THE HUB UNIT MAY BE TOO LONG. THIS RESULTS IN THE WHEEL TO NOT BE SEATED FULLY AGAINST THE HUB FLANGE FACE DURING MOUNTING.
IMPROPER SEATING OF THE WHEEL CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE VIBRATION, BRAKE ROTOR NOISE, DIFFICULTY REMOVING THE WHEEL AFTER INSTALLATION AND OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, AND POSSIBLY WHEEL-END SEPARATION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. SHOULD WHEEL-END SEPARATION OCCUR, THE DRIVER COULD LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
SKF WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE HUB UNITS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SKF VSM NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 1-800-644-8999.
Campaign 08E064000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, column shiftDec 4, 2007
ON CERTAIN VAN AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS, THE IGNITION/PARK SHIFT INTERLOCK SYSTEM MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. THIS CAN ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE "PARK" POSITION WITH THE IGNITION KEY REMOVED (OR IN THE "LOCK" POSITION). THIS CAN ALSO ALLOW THE IGNITION KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE "PARK" POSITION.
EITHER OF THESE CONDITIONS COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEARSHIFT BLOCKER AND BRACKET ASSEMBLY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 07V555000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical systemSep 7, 2006
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FRONT BENCH SEATS ONLY, IF FLUID IS SPILLED FROM THE FLOOR MOUNTED CUP HOLDER, AN UNUSED CONSOLE POWER OUTLET CONNECTOR LOCATED UNDER THE SEAT MAY BECOME CONTAMINATED.
THIS MAY ALLOW DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGH RESISTIVE SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE CONNECTOR, WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE CONSOLE WIRING CONNECTOR FOR CORROSION, CLEAN AS REQUIRED, AND INSTALL A CAP TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL FLUID FROM CONTAMINATING THE CONNECTOR FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 30, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLER CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 06V339000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingMar 15, 2006
CERTAIN REPLACEMENT K&N FUEL PERFORMANCE KITS, P/NOS. 57-1509, 57-1511, 57-1511-1, 57-1517, 57-1517-1, 57-1527, AND 57-1530. ALSO, A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THESE KITS WERE SOLD UNDER THE MOPAR PERFORMANCE PARTS BRAND NAME (P/NOS. P5007069 AND P5007070). ALL KITS WERE MANUFACTURED FROM APRIL 20, 1999, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2004. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR CERTAIN DODGE PICKUP TRUCKS AND SUVS. A SMALL PIECE OF MATERIAL FROM THE TUBE WALL COULD BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE THROTTLE BODY, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE THROTTLE TO BECOME JAMMED IN THE OPEN POSITION.
A JAMMED OPEN THROTTLE COULD CAUSE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH OR INCREASED STOPING DISTANCES WHEN BRAKING.
K&N WILL PROVIDE OWNERS WITH A FREE REPAIR KIT ALONG WITH REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 20, 2006.
Campaign 06E024000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, control arm, upper ball jointDec 21, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE (4X4), IF MOISTURE LEAKS INTO THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINT, EVACUATION OF THE LUBRICANT AND CORROSION OF THE JOINT MAY CAUSE THE JOINT TO WEAR OVER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THIS COULD CAUSE A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION, WHICH MAY NOT ALWAYS BE HEARD BY THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.
EXCESSIVE WEAR IN THE UPPER BALL JOINT MAY ALLOW IT TO SEPARATE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION UPPER BALL JOINTS. THIS SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BEGAN ON DECEMBER 21, 2004. OWNERS CAN CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 04V596000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, column shiftMar 7, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4-WHEEL DRIVE. THE ELECTRIC SHIFT TRANSFER CASE MAY NOT FULLY ENGAGE INTO GEAR WHEN THE OPERATOR MOVES THE TRANSFER CASE SELECTOR SWITCH.
THIS COULD CAUSE THE TRANSFER CASE TO END UP IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION UNEXPECTEDLY AND ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL AWAY IF THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED.
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE TRANSFER CASE CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 9, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 01V077000 on NHTSA.gov
Child seatNov 9, 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." SOME OF THE OWNER'S MANUALS FOR THESE VEHICLES ARE MISSING INSTRUCTIONS THAT PROVIDE A STEP-BY-STEP PROCEDURE, INCLUDING DIAGRAMS, FOR PROPERLY ATTACHING A CHILD RESTRAINT SYSTEM'S TETHER STRAP TO THE TETHER ANCHORAGE.
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE CHILD SEAT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY ATTACHED INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE CHILD.
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH AN ADDENDUM TO THE OWNER'S MANUALS.
Campaign 00V366000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
665 reports, newest first.
Power train, Nov 8, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND VIBRATE AND WILL NOT RESTART. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
Power train, Nov 8, 2002
THE FRONT AXLE OF THIS DODGE DURANGO HAS EXCESSIVE NOISE, ABOUT 50 DECIBELS WHEN DRIVEN OVER THE SPEED OF 40 MILES PER HOUR. THE ENTIRE FRONT AXLE HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE BY MELTON SALES OF CLAREMORE, OK. THE NOISE CAME BACK IN TWO DAYS. I HAVE A SCHEDULED REPAIR FOR 11/11/02 FOR ANOTHER ATTEMPT. THE TOTAL DOWN TIME FOR THIS REPAIR IS 4 WEEKS, AS PARTS AND LABOR TAKE LONG PERIODS OF TIME. I AM EXTREMELY UNHAPPY ABOUT THIS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY FOR A $36000 VEHICLE. DODGE WILL LOSE MY BUSINESS AFTER THE REPAIR IS FINISHED. DT
Power train, Nov 7, 2002
CONSUMER STATE WHILE FIVE YEAR OLD CHILD WAS PASS THROUGH FRONT TO BACK SEAT WITH VEHICLE RUNNING CHILD PANTS LEG PULL GEAR SHIFT INTO DRIVE CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN INTO GARAGE WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Power train, Oct 23, 2002
CONSUMER STATES HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION SWITCH AS OTHER KEY CAN START HER ENGINE . DEALER WAS CONTACTED. MR
Seat belts, Oct 1, 2002
THE LIGHTWEIGHT LOCKING LATCHPLATES HAVE NEVER LOCKED PROPERLY. I MUST USE LOCKING CLIPS IN ORDER TO SECURE MY CAR SEATS (BECAUES THERE IS AN EMERGENCY LOCKING RETRACTOR). THE SEAT BELT FAILS THE LOCKABILITY STANDARD AND MAKES CAR SEAT INSTALLATION VERY MR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 23, 2002
CONSUMER STATES, VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND REPLACED THE FRONT PADS TWICE. CONSUMER BELIEVES, THE ROTORS ARE THE PROBLEM.*JB
Electrical system, Sep 3, 2002
COMPUTER DIDN'T RECOGNIZE THE SWITCH TO START VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED ,AND THEY CHANGED ELECTRONIC SHIFT TRANSPORT CASE, AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL REOCCURRING.*AK *JB
Power train, Sep 3, 2002
WHEN ENGINE IS ON AND IN PARK, CONSUMER IS ABLE TO MOVE INTO ANY GEAR WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKES. *AK CONSUMER CALLED CHRYSLER CORPORATION TO COMPLAIN. THEY WOULD NOT TAKE THE COMPLAINT. CONSUMER ADVISED CONSUMER TO BE CAREFUL NOT TO ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE GEAR SHIFT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ON. *JG
Seats, Aug 26, 2002
WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT CONSUMER IN THE REAR, BOTH PASSENGER'S SIDE AND DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBACKS FELL BACKWARDS. SINCE THE INCIDENT PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY, SEAT WON'T COME ALL THE WAY UP. *AK THERE WERE 2 INJURIES.*JB
Power train, Aug 22, 2002, crash
KEY WAS IN IGNITION WHILE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND CHILD SHIFTED VEHICLE OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE WITHOUT DEPRESSING BRAKES, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Power train, Aug 22, 2002
GEAR SHIFT MECHANISM ENGAGES WITHOUT PRESSING FOOT ON BRAKE. A SMALL CHILD WAS ABLE TO PUT INTO GEAR. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *AK *SCC
Power train, Aug 22, 2002
THIS CAR IS ONLY ONE YEAR OLD AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THIS IS UNHEARD OF. THE VEICHLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR OVER A WEEK LEAVING ME WITH NO TRANSPORTATION. NO ARRANGEMENT WERE MADE FOR A FREE RENTAL BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON A ONE YEAR OLD CAR!. UNHAPPY CUSTOMER.*AK
Power train, Jul 9, 2002
CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING, AFTER STALLING THE ENGINE WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START, THE MESSAGE NO BUS APPEARED RIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED, THE DEALER REPLACED THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND THE PCM CRANKSHAFT.*JB
Power train, Jul 1, 2002, crash
I WAS NOT TOLD THERE WAS NO SAFETY FEATURE ON THIS VEHICHLE. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO APPLY THE BRAKE TO PUT IT IN GEAR WHILE THE CAR IS ON. SO MY ONE YEAR OLD DROVE THE DURANGO THREW THE GARAGE. AND DODGE TOLD ME IT WAS ON THERE THE FEATURE BUT THE SEARCHED AND DID NOT FIND IT. SO I FOUND OUT THAT THE 2003 HAS THIS SAFETY FEATURE AND THEY WILL NOT TELL ME WHY ITS ON THERE NOW. AND THEY WILL NOT PUT ONE ON IT OR GET US IN A 2003. I THOUGHT ALL VEHICHLES WERE SUPPOSE TO HAVE THEM FOR SAFETY REASONS LIKE WHAT MY BABY DID. PLEASE HELP US TO GET OUR TRUCK CHILD PROOF. *AK
Power train, Jun 30, 2002
TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING. WHEN IN DRIVE IT WILL SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. CONSUMERS SON WAS ABLE TO JARR THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER BY CLIMBING ACROSS THE SEAT. THE GEAR SHIFT IS ABLE TO MOVE FROM GEAR TO GEAR AND OUT OF PARK WITH OUT THE VEHICLE BEING ON. THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS BUILT WITHOUT THIS VITAL SAFETY FEATURE. *JG
Equipment, Jun 24, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Seats, Jun 21, 2002
THE ELECTRIC DRIVER'S SEAT HAS A SLIGHT REARWARD OR ROCKING MOTION WHEN I STEP ON THE GAS EITHER STARTING IN TRAFFIC, OR ACCELERATING. THE SEAT HAS A SLIGHT FORWARD MOTION OR ROCKING WHEN I'M SLOWING DOWN, OR STOPPING. THE SEAT HAS HAD THIS CONDITION SINCE IT HAS HAD APROXIMATELY 5,000 ON IT. I HAVE NOT REPORTED IT TO THE MANUFACTURER OR THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY OTHERS WHO HAVE REPORTED IT THAT DODGE AND DAIMLER CHRYSLER DO NOT CONSIDER IT A DEFECT, AND WILL NOT REPAIR IT.*AK
Latches/locks/linkages, Jun 18, 2002
CONSUMER STATES DOOR LOCKS FAILED TWICE. *YD
Electrical system, May 30, 2002
I WAS ENTERING THE FREE WAY ON 05/10 AND MY CAR DIED. IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR MOVE AT ALL. I WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPAIRED IT. THEY SAID THAT THE COMPUTER DIED AND THEY HAD TO ORDER A NEW COMPUTER. AFTER RECEIVING IT BACK ON 05/18 I DROVE IT FOR 5 DAYS AND THEN ON MAY 23 THE CAR DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. IT IS NOW AT THE DODGE DEALER WHERE THEY ARE WAITING FOR A PART.*AK
Vehicle speed control, May 24, 2002
WHILE DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL, BACKING VEHICLE OUT, IT STARTED TO TRAVEL FAST DUE TO GAS PEDAL AND BRAKE PEDAL BEING TOO CLOSE TO EACH OTHER PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Electrical system, May 20, 2002
INTERMITTENTLY, RADIO WILL GO OUT, ELECTRIC DOOR LOCKS AND POWER WINDOWS WILL NOT WORK. DEALER CANNOT FIND CAUSE. *AK DEALER FOUND THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS BAD AND HAD IT REPLACED. *SLC
Electrical system, Visibility, May 20, 2002
WINDSHIELD WIPERS SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN. VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME.*AKWITH THE WINDSHEILD WIPERS INOPERABLE, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO EXIT OFF THE ROAD. THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE IGNITION SWITCH. IT WAS REPLACED. *JG
Air bags, May 15, 2002, crash
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON DRIVER'S DOOR AND FORCED INTO A UNITY POLE. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *AK *TT DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *TT
Power train, Vehicle speed control, May 13, 2002
1) CAR RACES AS IF IN HIGH GEAR (WHILE IN REVERSE AND THEN IN DRIVE) BUT WON'T MOVE UNLESS YOU FLOOR IT. AFTER 200FT. OF FLOORING IT ..IT DROPS INTO GEAR AND RUNS NORMALLY. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND NOT SPECIFIC TO COLD WEATHER BUT ENGINE IS USUALLY COLD.. 2)PROBLEM IS COMMON TO DURANGOS...CAR SHIFTS FREELY FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR ANY OTHER GEAR WITHOUT HAVING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE.*AK
Power train, May 2, 2002
TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING 35-40 MPH, WHEN IN REVERSE IT WILL SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. DEALER REPLACED TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR, TCM AND QUICKLEARN. ON 30 APRIL 2002 AT 5 MPH TRANSMISSION SLIPPED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL.*JB